Why Jayson Tatum Could Lead Celtics Back To NBA Finals This Season

The Boston Celtics have had a bit of a rollercoaster season, mainly due to their star forward, Jayson Tatum, who is out as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon.

Tatum could return at some point this season, since he tore his Achilles tendon in May. Typically, an Achilles injury takes about a whole year to heal.

The Celtics shouldn’t hurry Tatum’s return, but if they can get him back by late March, there’s a real opportunity for Boston to emerge as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.

Boston currently has a 10-9 record, placing it ninth in the conference. If the season ended today, the Celtics would qualify for one of the play-in playoff games.

The Celtics are unlikely to miss the playoffs, assuming there are no significant injuries from here on out. If Tatum returns to the court during the postseason, Boston could become the most experienced team in the conference.

Heading into the season, the Knicks and Cavaliers were expected to be the two top teams in the conference. However, Cleveland has struggled to find its rhythm, while New York has experienced its share of ups and downs.

Two young teams sit at the top of the conference in the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, and there is a good chance Boston’s postseason experience with Tatum and Jaylen Brown could beat both of those teams.

The Celtics’ top priority is to ensure Tatum is healthy, but if he can return to full fitness, winning the conference might not be beyond reach.